Global And Multicultural Education Center
Board of Directors Meeting
2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 3, 2008

Meeting Attendees: Dr. Charles B. Wheeler, Nancy Brooks, Gregory Brown, Teri Chu, Gene Foster, Haumana Johannsen, Bambi Shen, Sara Pedram, Manny Pedram, Matthew Westra

President, Greg Brown called the meeting to order at 2:15.

New Office Manager: Mariah Chrans was hired on January 2, 2008 with funding from the EPA budget for the climate change grant. She also will be assisting with the CRC/ CEDAW Conference in April. Manny said she is a self-starter and very efficient. She works at the GAME office 10 hours a week and her salary is $10.00 an hour.

Approval of November 4, 2007 Minutes – After review of the minutes, a motion for approval was made by Teri Chu and seconded by Nancy Brooks. The motion carried. Treasurer Report: Norman Burkart was absent and no treasurer report was available. Manny reported that all accounts have been moved to Capitol Federal, as was discussed at the previous meeting.

Program Report: Doris Stout was absent and no report was made.

Membership: Due to Hattie’s absence, no report was made, Sara commented that we have a new member, Omar Stanford. He was invited to attend today’s meeting but apparently was not available.

CRC/CEDAW Conference report: Sara Pedram gave an extensive report on the confirmed speakers: Mr. Armand Pereira, Director, Washington Branch of the International Labor Organization; and Tod Ensign, Director, Citizen Soldier, We have not received any confirmation from political invitees, Senator Claire McCaskill and Senator Tom Harkin. Child soldier and author, Ishmael Beah, is invited but not confirmed. Sara said that most panel participants for the four break-out sessions have been recruited.
Conference dates are April 18-19 and the location is All Souls UU Church.

UNICEF Cards: Manny gave a positive report about our UNICEF Holiday sales. We purchased several varieties of cards, from UNICEF for $184.00 and sold them for $358. There are three boxes left for next year. From our sale we contributed $35.80 to UUUNO
and raised $138.20 for G.A.M.E.

Climate Change Institute: EPA Grant project. Manny has scheduled Feb. 16, 2008 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. as an Open Forum for classroom teachers at Kauffman Foundation, Brush Creek Room, Greg Brown will chair the meeting. We have invited Mr. Dennis Murphey, Chief Environmental officer of KCMO as main speaker. He will address city’s initiatives on environmental issues.The Institute dates are June 2-6, 2008 from 9:00-3:00 p.m. at Discovery Center and participants receive two hours of graduate credit for professional development from UMKC School of Continuing Education. Greg suggested we check on dates for any distinct teachers meetings where we could distribute flyers.

Recommendation/ Actions

Make the Peace Builder’s Award an annual dinner/awards event.
Sara suggested a sub-committee to do the future planning. Matthew Westra asked about the criteria for the award and Gene Foster raised a question about whether the award will be local, regional or national. Sara asked for 2 or 3 volunteers as sub-committee. Gene Foster, Bambi Shen, and Nancy Brooks volunteered. Sara said she will also ask Doris Stout, program chair, to join the sub-committee.

Strategic Planning
Manny indicated the availability of capacity building grant opportunity and brief grant writing seminar at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. He has registered two people to attend on Wed., March 12 at 10:00 a.m. Greg Brown and Mariah Chrans, if available, will attend.

Other Business

Election of Officers and Board Members: Will be elected on Sunday, April 27, 2008,
at the annual meeting. Haumana Johanssen, President Elect, is expecting her second child
in May; therefore making it difficult for her to fulfill this responsibility, Ter Chu agreed
to serve in the position of Vice-President and act as President when Haumana is unable.

Newsletter: Matthew Westra encouraged everyone to send and participate in writing for
Global Concepts. Sara suggested travel stories. Gene and Bambi recently travelled to
Bali and Matthew may have an up-coming trip to Senegal this summer. Manny has asked
Joyce Cox to write about her trip to Antarctica. Sara added that the next newsletter
should be prepared and distributed by late March and include registration information on
the CRC/CEDAW conference in April.

Monthly meeting of treasurer, program and membership vice presidents, and president is
scheduled on March 8 (first Saturday), 2:00 p.m at GAME office.

Next Board Meeting: Sunday April 27, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

Submitted by Sara Pedram